Google is working on smart contact lenses that measure glucose levels from tears

So it seems that Google is working on ‘smart’ contact lenses which can measure a person’ glucose levels through their tears.

While the development and beta testing, through the Google Glass explorer program, is well underway, it seems that Google isn’t going to stop there. They’re already working on contact lenses which have a sensor as well as chip embedded in the material. Right now the aim is to monitor a person’s glucose level, and therefore allow diabetics to monitor their blood sugar level.

This project is being developed by Brian Otis and Babak Parviz. They posted about this project and about all the trouble diabetics have to go through presently on Google’s Official Blog.

“Glucose levels change frequently with normal activity like exercising or eating or even sweating. Sudden spikes or precipitous drops are dangerous and not uncommon, requiring round-the-clock monitoring. Although some people wear glucose monitors with a glucose sensor embedded under their skin, all people with diabetes must still prick their finger and test drops of blood throughout the day. It’s disruptive, and it’s painful. And, as a result, many people with diabetes check their blood glucose less often than they should,” they said in their statement.

While development on this idea is still in the early fazes, it’s still something to keep an eye on. See what I did there?